A Web Site that Teaches Democracy in Class

The new Web site Athènes, 500 ans avant Jésus-Christ... enables students in the first cycle of secondary education to learn about democracy in an original, attractive and… up-to-date manner in class.

Developed by RÉCIT de l’univers social, this site respects the principle of learning through competences that is advocated by the new educational program. By performing seven separate activities, students can “participate in the democratic life of the class or school, develop an open mind to the world and respect diversity”. A key quote sets the tone for each of the activities:

1. Primer: “Knowledge of words leads to knowledge of things”
2. Socrates: “I do not know, but you do”
3. Plato: “Man, not walls, makes a city”
4. Aristotle: “Man is a political animal”
5. Heroditis: “Give all power to the virtuous man, he will change his attitude”
6. Thucydides: “Is democracy limited to electing leaders?”
7. Charles Taylor: “Is a democracy possible without debate?”

The well designed site contains all that is required for the teacher and students to accomplish the suggested activities. A teacher’s guide is provided in Web format or for download. Furthermore, fifteen documents and work sheets can be downloaded and printed for students.

Address of the site Athènes, 500 ans avant Jésus-Christ...: athenes.recitus.qc.ca (in french only).

Address of RÉCIT de l'univers social: www.recitus.qc.ca (in french only).